The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), a radon hazard code, or may propose amendments to revise the appropriate model code adopted pursuant to the “State Uniform Construction Code Act,” P.L.1975, c.217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.), for the purpose of establishing adequate and appropriate standards to ensure that schools and residential buildings within tier one areas, as defined by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to P.L.1985, c.408 (C. 26:2D-59 et seq.), are constructed in a manner that minimizes radon gas and radon progeny entry and facilitates any subsequent remediation that might prove necessary. In preparing the radon hazard code standards, the commissioner shall employ a guideline of four picocuries per liter or such other action level standard as the Department of Environmental Protection may establish subsequent to the effective date of this act.

The department shall include in the radon hazard code standards such testing requirements as may prove reliable, practical and economical to identify sites where a proposed school or residential building will require construction in a manner that minimizes radon gas and radon progeny entry and facilitates any subsequent remediation. If a feasible predictive test method is developed, then the standards adopted pursuant to the “State Uniform Construction Code Act,” P.L.1975, c.217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.), shall be revised to include such further changes in construction standards as may be necessary to prevent the entry of radon gas and radon progeny into new schools or residential buildings.

No person who constructs a school or residential building in compliance with these standards anywhere within the State shall thereafter be held liable for the presence of radon gas or radon progeny in the school or residential building, or for any losses or damage to persons or property resulting therefrom.

L.1989,c.186,s.1.